Jack Hemingway, the first born son of the famous writer, Ernest Hemingway, was assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Because he spoke fluent French, Captain Jack Hemingway parachuted into France behind enemy lines on a mission to aid the Maquis or Maquisards (French Resistance). As he jumped from the airplane under the cover of darkness, Jack’s most important “survival gear” included a fly rod and reel, a small assortment of flies and his Papa Nui Long billed cap.
Jack promptly began fishing some of the streams and rivers behind enemy lines whenever he could slip away from his duties. On one occasion he had no sooner wet a line in a promising roadside stream when a German patrol happened by. With the Resistance insignia in plain sight on the shoulder of his jacket, Jack pulled the visor of his Papa cap down on his brow and calmly waved at the passing soldiers as he shielded his arm from their view. He resumed fishing after they had gone.
In homage to Jack and to Ernest, the Papa Nui ‘Pilar’ cap, salutes the war service of these father and son heroes. Modeled in tough GI drab herringbone twill, the Pilar Cap provides the ultimate visor protection for angling a fly on a French stream or drawing a bead on Hitler’s henchmen. At home on the bridge of a Q-Boat off the coast of Santiago or comfortable on a war strewn European river bank, this cap is the result of painstaking research into correct crown shape and visor construction. Forget the malarky and hokem, this isn’t a Ketchum Gas Station find nor a recreation lookalike, this is the real deal, no clever copy writing just the true ‘Gen’.
Whether hunting subs, ripping marlin, or cruising the Gulf Stream with Adriana, this lid has got me covered.
H
Henry L.
Pilar Ahoy!
Feels like a beautiful warm summers day on the beach as soon as the Pilar is on the dome! Super comfortable and great materials. I measure 59cm and the Large is perfect. Great work Papa!
S
Stéphane M.
All good Charly be good
H
Harry S.
Pilar Cap
Loved the cap. I’m a big collector of military/police themed caps and an aquatint brought Papa Nui to my attention. After a quick browse through, I was sadly limited to several hats for my fat head. Settling on the Pilar it was a brave choice given it’s unique brim which I’ve been wearing proudly since. Big fan of the Idaho Duck Hunter camo where now some images of me feeding ducks in it exists! The history/heritage of the brand and the hats themselves is very interesting as well as how they’re made/material choice and I will be purchasing again. I loved the bag it came in too!
Duck hunters are go, thank you Harry, stay in the blind!
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Great jumper - comfortable and looks good. Wore this jumper to the local market today and got various compliments - as well as being asked where could they buy one - told them to look for Papa Nui on line!
The best cap for the right stuff, now in the right place - the county of origin of rocket-powered flight - Germany ! 😁 Love it
X-1 Crew Cap.
Daniel
From the Atoll to Me – An Unforgettable Journey
Meeting the Papa Nui cap changed my life once and for all — nothing will ever be the same again. Papa is truly unique in his philosophy, in the quality of what he creates, and in the heart he puts into every piece.
Many thanks,
Daniel
Atoll Flyers Jacket.
Chris L.
The Real Deal.
What can be said that hasn't been said already. Papa airdropped this beaut and managed to get my mits on it before the CO noticed. The Shinki horsehide ain't a joke neither. You could go for a bimble through the jungle, get caught in a downpour, and this thing would probably come out looking better than you. It's stiff mind, took a bit of hard yakka to break it in, but now it fits like it was made for my scone. It's a civvy bit of kit, make no mistake. The Sergeant Major gets a bit cross-eyed when he sees it, thinks it's not uniform. But listen, when you're stuck in a foxhole and the rain's bucketing down, this leather lid is a bloody sight better than a piece of wet wool.
It's a fair dinkum bonzer bit of gear. If you can get one, get one. Just keep it out of sight of the brass.